Apparatus for clarifying saccharine liquids



ec. 7, 1937., D. F, MHH moms@ APPARATUS FOR CLARIFYING SACCHARINE LIQUIDS Filed April 26, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l VAPOR T0 V CoNDENsE/z C oi/ f//f Stream/1j ec. 7, i937. D. F. SMITH APPARATUS FOR 'CLARIFYING SACCHARINE LIQUIDS Filed April 26, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 imieufl Dec. 7, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR CLABIFYING SACCHABINE LIQUIDS The invention relates to the manufacture of sugar; and its objects are to provide for the rapid, convenient, and eilicient removal of scum from the surface of juices of sacchariferousv` plants during the process of boiling said juices in a vacuum; and to provide an apparatus for this purpose which may be readily adapted for installation in vessels already in use.

The accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus; Figure 2 a plan of the apparatus; and Figure 3 a fragmentary detailed view of the funnel adjusting mechanism on line aa, illustrate the invention.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral I indicates an inner vessel, or vacuum-pan, for containing the juice during the process of boiling. 'I'he lower half of vacuum-pan I, or as much thereof as may be desired, is inclosed within the steam-jacket 2 which is securely attached, at its upper end, to the side-wall of vacuum-pan I. The space between the vacuum-pan I and the steam-jacket 2 formsv a steam-chamber 3 which is supplied with steam from any suitable source (not shown) for heating the contents of vacuum-pan I. The steam enters chamber 3 through the steam-pipe 4 which is provided with the valve 5 to enable the operator to control the steam pressure in chamber 3. A suitable safety-valve 6 permits the' escape of excess steam from chamber 3. The vacuum-pan I, with the attached steam-jacket 2, is inclosed within the insulating-jacket 'l which may be composedv of asbestos, or other suitable insulating material. The bottom of vacuum-pan I is supported upon the bottom 0f steam-jacket 2 by suitable stay-rivets 8 while the entire vessel is supported at the desired height by the base 9. The raw juice is supplied to vacuumpan I through the supply-pipe IU which enters the side of vacuum-pan I through the insulatingjacket 1. After boiling, the defecated juice is discharged from vacuum-pan I through the discharge-pipe Il which passes through the'bottom of steam-jacket 2 and the insulating-jacket 1. The discharged juice may be received in any suitable container. Suitable valves I2 and I3 are provided in the supply-pipe IIJ and the dischargepipe I I respectively to enable the operator to control tlie ingress and egress oi the juice. A draincock I4 is provided in the bottom of steamjacket 2 to permit draining the water of condensation from steam-chamber 3 and a discharge-cock I5 is provided in the side of vacuum-pan I below the minimum level for the concentrated juice to permit the withdrawal of samples for testing. The numeral I6 indicates a ilexible tubular coil axially disposed within the vacuum-pan I. Coil I6 terminates at its upper end in the funnel I1 while its lower end is connected to the iitting I3. A nipple I3 vis also connected to the fitting' I8 and projects downwardly through vacuum-pan I, steam-jacket 2, and in` sulating-jacket 1. This Anipple is firmly supported by the stuffing-box 20 and its lower end is connected to the discharge-pipe 2I which conveys the scum to the scum-tank 22; 2I is provided with the valve 23 for closing the line from the vacuum-pan to the scum-tank. Scum-tank 22 is provided with the petcock 24 and is connected to the exhaust line 25 by the riser 23 which is connected to the three-way valve 21. A source of reduced pressure for operating the exhaust line 25 is provided by any suitable Discharge-pipe condenser and vacuum-pump which are. not

tion and withdrawal of the juice which may inadve'rtently be drawn into the scum-tank and also 'permits the removal of the accumulated scum. Attached to the bottom of vacuum-pan I is the upwardly extending guide which is adapted to support the coil I6 against lateral movement. The funnel I'I is provided with the cross-bar 3l which is attached to the vertically movable adjusting-rod 32. 'I'he numeral 33 indicates a removable cover for vacuum-pan I. This cover is reinforced by the cross-members 34 and is clamped in an air-tight manner to the anged upper rim of vacuum-pan I by bolts 35. Mounted upon cover 33 are the adjusting-wheels 33 and 3l which are in frictional engagement with the adjusting-rod 32 and responsive to the rotation of `the handle 38 to control the vertical movement of adjusting-rod 32, the attached funnel Il, and coil I6. The rims of the adjusting-wheels are faced with a suitable material 33, such as rubber, to increase their friction upon the adjusting-rod. Mounted also upon cover 33 is the electric motor 40 adapted to drive the worm 4I which is in mesh with the worm-gear 42 upon the upper end of the tubular shaft 43. Shaft 43 is journaled in the stuihng-box 44 and is attached, at its lower end, to the cross-bar 45a of the rotatable stirrer 45 by the nut 46. The weight of this stirrer is carried by the bearing 41 which is in contact with the under side oi the worm-gear Il. '111e waaher Il provides the necessary clearance between the cross-bar a and the cover 3l. The function of stirrer Il is to impart a swirling, or rotating, movement to the surface of the Juice. Under this condition, the surface of the Juice tends to assume a concavity which, simultaneously with the centripetal movement of the scum induced by the rotating Juice, causes the scum to collect at the axis of rotation. As the scum gravitates to its axis of rotation, it may be readily removed by the lowering of funnel I1 and simultaneously applying suction to the coll Il. The adjusting-rod 82 passes vertically through the tubular shaft 4I and the etui!- ing-box I and is adapted for slidable movement therein. An observation window Il is mounted over a convenientlylocated opening in cover Il and permits a clear view of the funnel I'I and of the upper surface of the Juice contained in vacuum-psn i. An electric bulb II is mounted in the housing I2 over a suitable opening in cover Il and provides illumination for the interior of vacuum-pan I. A transparent shade Il protects the bulb II.

Itwillbeobviousthatthesamesourceoi' vacuum which effects the desired pressure reduction in the vacuum-pan I. and which remov. through the exhaust-pipe Il, the vapors generatedbytheebullitionoftbeluiceduringthe processotboilinmayalsobeemployedtoremovethescumfromthesurfaceotth through the funnel I1, the coil Il and charge-pipe 2i when the funnel is brought proper relation with the surface of the iuice.

The operation oi this invention is as follows: With the funnel II elevated well above the maximum level oi the Juice contained in the vacnum-pan I, and with the valves I8 and 28 closed, the valves I! and l1 are opened in the supplypipe Il and the exhaust line Il respectively. The vacuum-pump (not shown) is started and the raw juice is drawn into the vacuum-pan I in the desired amount. When the vacuum-pan I is su!- ilciently charged with the raw Juice. valve I is opened to admit the steam to the steam-chamber I. When the raw iuice in vacuum-pan i has reached the desired level. valve I2 is closed. After the juice in the vacuum-pan has reached the desired temperature, which may be ascertained by observation through'the window Il, the motor Il is started by a suitable switch (not shown) and the stlrrer Il rotated at a speed sumcient to eiect the desired concavity in the surface of the Juice and a centripetal movement of the scum resulting in the movement of the scum to its axis of rotation. At this time the valve Il is operated to close the exhaust line 2l to vacuum-pan I and to open the riser 20 from the exhaust line to the into scum-tank 22. Valve 2l is then opened and the funnel I1 is vertically adjusted by means of handle Il to bring its rim into correct relation with the surface of the Juice to permit the scum to enter the funnel. 'Ihe suction which is now etl'ective through the coil Il causes the rapid removal of the scum to the scum-tank 22. From the scum-tank, the accumulated Juice and scum may be regoved as required through the dischargecock Havingthusdescribedmyinvenmlclaim:

1. Adeviceofthechsracterdescribedcomprising in combination a vacuum pan. a pressurereducing means connected tb the vacuum-pan, means for hating said vacuum-pan, a stirrer rotatably mounted in said vacuum-pan and adaptedtoimpartacentripetalmovementtothe scum therein, and a ilexible discharge-tube disposed within the vertical axisofthe vacuum-pan and connected to the pressure reducing means.

A2. A device of the character described comprising in combination a vacuum-pan, means for heating said vacuum-pan. a stirrer rotatably mountedinsaidvacuumpan andadaptedtoimpartacentripetalmovementtothescumtheaein. means for rotating the stirrer. a ilexible discharge-tube adiustably disposed within the vertical axis of the vacuum-pan. connections from thevacuum-pantoapressurereducing means. and connections from the flexible discharge-tube to the pressure reducim connections. 3. A device of the character described comprising in combination a vessel, a steam-Jacket for heating said vessel. vacuum connections to said vessel, a removable cover for the venel. a stirrer rotatably mounted in, and depending from. said cover and adapted to impart a centripetal movementtothescum,meanstorotatethestirrer mounted upon the cover. a flexible dischargecoil mounted within the veeel concentric with thestirrenmeansforadiustingtheheightof the discharge-coil, a scum-tank. connections from the discharge-coil to the scum-tank, and connections from the scum-tank to the said first mentioned vacuum connections.

4. -A device of the character described comprising in combination a vacuum-pan, a removable cover for said vacuum-pan. a tubular stuft rotatably mounted in the cover, a stirrer attached tothelowerendofsaidshattanddepending into the vacuum-pan said stirrer being adapted to impart a centripetal movement to the scum within the vacuum-pan. a worm-gear attached to the upper end o! the shaft, an electric motor mounted upon the cover. a worm connected to the motor shaftand in engagement with the wormgear. a tubular coil vertically mounted within the vacuum-pan and concentric therewith, a iunnel attached to the upper end of the coil, an adjusting-rod attached to the funnel and slidably mounted in the tubular shaft, means mounted upon the cover for vertically moving the adiusting-rod, a support for the tubular coil to prevent lateral movement thereof, a scum-tank, connections from the tubular coil to the scumtank, and vacuum connections to the vacuumpan and the scum-tank.

- 5. A device of the character described comprising in combination a vacuum-pan, a steam-Jacket surrounding the vacuum-pan. a scum-tank, a unitary discharge pipe vertically adjustable within the axis of the vacuum-pan and communicating with the scum-tank, a demountable stirring unit adapted to impart a centripetal movement to the scum within the vacuum-pan. and optionally eifective vacuum connections to the vacuum-pan and the scum-tank.

DAVID F. SEITE. 

